loaches with an oscar

[dax29]

I was wondering if clown loaches would be okay with an oscar provided that the loaches were purchased at twice the size of the oscar.

The tank is a 5-ft, 100 gallon tank (60X18X20) and well filtered.

I have read where 6 loaches is optimal, but will 3-4 suffice in this tank, even when they reach 12 inches?

[Martin Thoene]

Clown Loaches like LOTS of current, which an Oscar will not. Both require excellently filtered water with large media capacity, but the loaches need good current actually in the tank. Something the Oscar will not appreciate too much.

That size tank is not suitable for adult clowns. Even if you buy Clowns twice the size of the Oscar it will outgrow them within a short time. Basically, I would not advise keeping Clowns with any large cichlid species. Their requirements are different and a big bruiser of a cichlid is always going to upset the sensitive nature of the loaches.

Martin.

[dax29]

Thanks.